“I still can’t believe it. I’m so happy. Messi deserved it for a long time. I thank the team for what they did.”
The World Cup was the missing silver lining for Messi, 35, who has broken several records while playing for club teams Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He also won the Copa America in 2021 with Argentina. Sunday’s final was potentially his last World Cup game for his country.
Mattias Cardinali, wearing the team’s jersey with two stars above the crest – it is now three – said he started watching the World Cup in 1998 when France won. Since then Argentina has reached one final, losing to Germany in 2014.
“Today I was watching it with my friends and it’s crazy, it’s such a joy, I still can’t believe it. I can’t wait to share it with friends, with family, with the people here.” Will not forget,” he told Reuters. Huge street party.
“It brings people together and I’m really happy. I have no words.”